Devotionals

Spurgeon's Daily Devotionals - Evening Edition

May 20: Cords of Love

"I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love." - Hosea 11:4

Our heavenly Father often draws us with the cords of love; but ah! how
backward we are to run towards him! How slowly do we respond to his gentle
impulses! He draws us to exercise a more simple faith in him; but we have not
yet attained to Abraham's confidence; we do not leave our worldly cares with
God, but, like Martha, we cumber ourselves with much serving. Our meagre faith
brings leanness into our souls; we do not open our mouths wide, though God has
promised to fill them. Does he not this evening draw us to trust him? Can we not
hear him say, "Come, my child, and trust me. The veil is rent; enter into my
presence, and approach boldly to the throne of my grace. I am worthy of thy
fullest confidence, cast thy cares on me. Shake thyself from the dust of thy
cares, and put on thy beautiful garments of joy." But, alas! though called with
tones of love to the blessed exercise of this comforting grace, we will not
come. At another time he draws us to closer communion with himself. We have been
sitting on the doorstep of God's house, and he bids us advance into the
banqueting hall and sup with him, but we decline the honour. There are secret
rooms not yet opened to us; Jesus invites us to enter them, but we hold back.
Shame on our cold hearts! We are but poor lovers of our sweet Lord Jesus, not
fit to be his servants, much less to be his brides, and yet he hath exalted us
to be bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh, married to him by a glorious
marriage-covenant. Herein is love! But it is love which takes no denial. If we
obey not the gentle drawings of his love, he will send affliction to drive us
into closer intimacy with himself. Have us nearer he will. What foolish children
we are to refuse those bands of love, and so bring upon our backs that scourge
of small cords, which Jesus knows how to use!